Outdoor Adventures
Anchorage is your gateway to Alaska’s great outdoors. Find the best hiking trails, fishing spots, wildlife viewing areas, glacier tours, and backcountry adventures. See our full guide to things to do in Anchorage for how outdoor time fits into a broader trip.
Whale watching near Anchorage in 2026 — humpbacks in Kenai Fjords, belugas in Turnagain Arm, orcas offshore. Best tours, seasonal guide, and what to expect.
Portage Glacier day trip from Anchorage: glacier cruise on M/V Ptarmigan, Byron Glacier Trail, and wildlife in Portage Valley, one hour south of the city.
Prince William Sound kayaking puts glaciers, sea otters, and puffins within reach of Anchorage. Here's how to plan your 2026 paddle trip.
Alaska Rock Gym is Anchorage's full-service indoor climbing facility — bouldering, top-rope, auto-belay, and youth programs open year-round.
Discover the best ATV and off-road riding near Anchorage: Caribou Creek OHV Area, Hatcher Pass alpine tundra, and guided tours for every skill level.
Girdwood and Alyeska Resort: Alaska's best mountain skiing in winter and summer tram rides, hiking, and valley trails just 45 minutes from Anchorage.
Wrangell-St. Elias is the largest national park in the United States — six times the size of Yellowstone — and it's accessible as a multi-day road trip from Anchorage. Here's how to plan it.
Talkeetna Alaska day trip from Anchorage: Denali flightseeing, historic downtown, river confluence, and one of Alaska's most unique small towns.
McHugh Creek Trail: strenuous 3-mile hike near Anchorage with 2,400 ft of elevation gain, panoramic Turnagain Arm views, and an alpine lake payoff.
From beginner lessons to 3D forest courses, archery near Anchorage offers year-round target shooting for all skill levels and ages.